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Category: Getting Started
By: James Wu
Reply by Omar Hassan:
**Nashville, TN — STR Permit Process:** **Step 1: Determine your permit type** - Type 1: Owner-occupied (you live there) - Type 3: Non-owner-occupied (investment property) — CAPPED in most residential zones, check availability first **Step 2: Gather documents** - Property deed or lease (with landlord permission letter for renters) - Government-issued ID - Proof of residency (for Type 1): utility bill or driver's license with property address - Floor plan showing bedrooms and max occupancy - Proof of insurance ($1M liability minimum) - Fire inspection certification **Step 3: Apply** - Online: Nashville.gov → Short-Term Rental Property Permit application - Application fee: $313 **Step 4: Inspections** - Fire inspection scheduled after application ($100 fee) - Building inspection may be required - Timeline: 2-6 weeks from application to inspection **Step 5: Approval** - Approval email with permit certificate - Display permit number in your listing - Total timeline: 4-8 weeks - Annual renewal: $313 + re-inspection **Pro tips:** - Apply BEFORE you start hosting. Operating without a permit = $50/day fine - The fire inspection is the bottleneck — schedule ASAP - Keep a copy of your permit in the rental property - Nashville actively enforces. They scrape Airbnb listings and cross-reference with permits. Need help organizing your property documentation? The blog at https://strspecialist.com/blog has guides on compliance documentation.
Reply by Nolan Peters:
**Austin, TX — STR License Process:** **Step 1: Check eligibility** - Type 1 (owner-occupied): Available citywide - Type 2 (non-owner-occupied): RESTRICTED by zone — check Austin's interactive STR map first - Type 3 (multifamily): Available with conditions **Step 2: Gather documents** - State-issued ID - Proof of ownership or lease (with owner permission for Type 2/3) - Insurance certificate ($500K minimum liability) - Letter of authorization if applying through a PM company - Completed Occupancy Tax Registration **Step 3: Apply online** - Austin Build + Connect portal (austin.gov) - Application fee: $235 (Type 1) or $435 (Type 2) **Step 4: Inspections** - Safety inspection within 30 days - Inspectors check: smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, handrails, pool barriers - Inspection fee included in application **Step 5: Ongoing compliance** - Post permit number in all listings - Collect and remit 9% HOT (unless platform collects automatically) - File quarterly HOT returns - Renew annually: same fee as initial application **Timeline:** 3-6 weeks total **Total first-year cost:** $235-435 (permit) + insurance (~$800-1,200/year) Key risk: Austin has been steadily reducing Type 2 availability. Buy with caution — your STR rights could be restricted at next permit renewal.
Reply by Anika Sharma:
**Denver, CO — STR License:** **The big one to know upfront: Denver only allows STR in your PRIMARY RESIDENCE.** **Step 1: Confirm eligibility** - Must be your primary residence (driver's license, voter registration, or tax return showing property address) - No investment property STRs allowed. Period. **Step 2: Apply online** - Denver's eLicensing portal - License type: "Short-Term Rental" - Fee: $25 application + $100 license fee = $125 - Cheapest permit in any major city! **Step 3: Documents needed** - Proof of primary residency (2 of: driver's license, voter registration, vehicle registration, tax return) - Property address verification - Contact information for responsible party **Step 4: Approval** - Typically 5-10 business days - Denver cross-references with property tax records **Step 5: Compliance** - Lodger's Tax (10.75%) — collected automatically by Airbnb - License renewed annually ($100) - Random compliance checks (they verify you actually live there) **What happens if you DON'T live there:** Denver sends undercover inspectors. They check if garbage cans are used, if mail is being collected, if there are personal belongings. Hosts have been fined $999/day for operating non-primary-residence STRs. If you're an investor looking at Denver, pivot to **mid-term rentals (30+ days)** — not subject to STR licensing. List on Furnished Finder (https://furnishedfinder.com) for traveling professionals.